Head of Boarding House Senior Girls' House (residential, non-teaching)

Job overview

Introduction

The Purcell School seeks to appoint an outstanding Head of Boarding House to lead the pastoral life of our Senior Girls' House. This is an important leadership role within a full boarding community of young musicians who are deeply committed to their craft and to one another.

The role requires sound professional judgement, substantial experience of boarding practice and confidence in leading adults within a residential environment.

Life at The Purcell School is shaped by curiosity, dedication, creativity and kindness. Our students are serious about music, but they are also adolescents navigating friendship, identity, ambition and uncertainty. Boarding provides the continuity and stability that allows them to take intellectual and creative risks, practise with focus and feel supported through the inevitable challenges of growing up.

The Head of Boarding House plays a central role in creating an environment in which students feel known, understood and appropriately challenged. Through clarity, consistency and strong relationships, the Head of Boarding House supports students in developing independence, responsibility and confidence, enabling them to flourish both academically and personally.

Working in close partnership with the Director of Boarding and the wider pastoral team, the Head of Boarding House ensures that the lived experience of students reflects the School's commitment to high standards of care, thoughtful structure and genuine warmth. The Head of Boarding House reports to the Director of Boarding and contributes to the consistent implementation of expectations across the boarding community.

While the role does not include a teaching timetable, the Head of Boarding House is an educator within the boarding context and plays a central role in students' personal development, sense of belonging and capacity to engage fully with the opportunities offered by a specialist music education.

The Head of Boarding House contributes directly to the School's compliance with the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools and plays an important role in ensuring that safeguarding practice is embedded consistently in the daily experience of students.

The Role

The Head of Boarding House provides leadership of the day-to-day life of the house, establishing an environment in which students feel safe, supported and able to develop increasing independence and maturity. The role requires the ability to combine relational warmth with professional clarity, creating a culture in which expectations are understood, boundaries are consistent and students experience adult responses as consistent and fair.

The post holder leads the house team and is responsible for ensuring consistency of approach in pastoral care, safeguarding practice, behaviour expectations and communication with students and families. The post holder exercises professional judgement in maintaining standards and supporting students' development within a busy residential environment.

Boarding at The Purcell School is distinctive. Students balance academic study with significant individual practice, ensemble rehearsals, performances and auditions. The Head of Boarding House guides students in managing the rhythms of this specialist environment, helping them develop sustainable routines, healthy perspectives and strong peer relationships within a community of high aspiration.

The Head of Boarding House works closely with academic colleagues, safeguarding leads and parents, recognising that boarding is integral to students' wider development and success.

HOW TO APPLY

If you wish to apply, please complete the School's Application Form (available on our website) and send it with a supporting Personal Statement to the Principal as soon as possible. Please do not send a separate curriculum vitae.

Personal statements should outline your experience and evidence your achievements. If you have a specific area of specialism or industry experience, please demonstrate how this enables you to contribute to an outstanding student experience.

Interviews will explore pastoral experience, the ability to relate appropriately to students and a willingness to contribute to the whole School community. Candidates will be required to bring evidence of identity to the interview.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 20th May 2026

Interviews to be held on Wednesday 3rd June 2026

Start date: 1st January 2027

Safeguarding

The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undergo all appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Terms and Benefits

This is a residential role during term-time. The Head of Boarding House is expected to play a full part in the life of the boarding community, including evening and weekend responsibilities, together with scheduled periods away from duty during school holidays and Exeat weekends. A protected 24-hour period off duty is provided each week.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and reflects the seniority and responsibility of the role. The expected range is £34,963 - £40,362 per annum.

Accommodation is provided for the duration of employment. Subject to HMRC regulations, accommodation is provided free of rent, council tax and utilities. Meals are provided without charge in the School dining hall during term time.

The position is subject to a six-month probationary period and regular professional review.

For full details of the role's responsibilities and person specification, please visit our website at